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Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty made an appearance last night at an evangelical church near Des Moines.

He and four other possible Republican presidential candidates were there to speak to the Iowa Faith and Freedom coalition.

Pawlenty cited his record as Minnesota governor in touting his conservative credentials.

"We had the first and only government shutdown in the 150 year history of my state on my watch," Pawlenty said. "I unalloted nearly $3 billion out of the budget by myself, which I think is more unallotments than all of the other governors in the history of the state combined, previous to my time as governor."

Pawlenty told the group that the nation's enormous debt is immoral, and religious faith needs to be a central part of American life.

"We need to remember this and always remember this. The Constitution was designed to protect people of faith from government, not to protect government from people of faith," he said.

He also spoke out against same-sex marriage.

Pawlenty appeared with former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, and two other Republicans considering a presidential bid.

Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn, was also invited, but organizers say she had a scheduling conflict.